What Should I Eat? 7

Let me tell you about this new, cute, little place that just popped up on University. It's called 3 Natives and I'm a fan. They have these little things you see above, called smoothie bowls. They're fresh, they're fruity, and the bottom is frozen, so it's like healthy (dairy-free) ICE CREAM. Me gusta mucho. The one I got had pineapple, kiwi, strawberries, and peanut butter. I wasn't sure how those flavors would gel with the granola and acai berry smoothie base, but it totally worked. I had mine for breakfast, and it was surprisingly filling. The only downside is that these are sorta expensive (like $8), considering what they are. However, I'll probably recreate them in my kitchen at some point, so get excited for that. In the mean time, splurge and get one of the ones from 3 Natives.

Thankful

So so many thanks.

Thankful for:

grace and mercy.

family.

my sweet boy.

being an RA and my beautiful, sweet, funny residents.

growing closer to all the friends I adore.

my university because even though it's hard at times, education is a gift.

food, glorious food.

this blog and anyone who takes the time to read each post.


Happy Thanksgiving, lovelies. Eat that extra piece of pie, you deserve it.

EPCOT Food & Wine

Hawaiian Kahlua Pulled Pork & Pineapple Chutney 

So. A couple weekends ago I did something y'all might think is a little weird. I went to EPCOT's Food & Wine Festival all. by. myself. And it was GLORIOUS. Yes, going to a theme park alone is sort of unusual, but so few of my friends have Disney tickets and the ones that did were busy. So I took myself on a little date to Disney, because the way I look at it is this: if you want someone to fall in love with you, you take them on dates. I'd like to fall in love with me, hence the date. Beautiful.

Anyway. I love this event. I'm not 21 and I don't drink, so for me it's just a food festival, but goodness, the food they serve is great. Pricey? Yes. But so worth it. Unfortunately, I don't have pictures of everything I ate, but that would probably get boring anyway.

My favorite kiosk was definitely China. They had a beef slider that was fantastic.

The weird little dessert you see above was probably my favorite thing I ate all day. It's a chocolate truffle frozen in liquid nitrogen(!) and topped with caramel. It had an amazingly silky texture (think a really good chocolate mousse), and I was just so intrigued by the idea of eating food prepared with liquid nitrogen. Like, I've used that stuff in labs, but never in the kitchen.

This soup is an oldie but a goodie. It's Canadian cheese soup and I've eaten and even made it so many times, but I'd been craving it, so I bought some. Also, never fear, that little cup was filled to the brim at first, I just didn't snap a pic until I was half done.

Overall, let me just say this: Food & Wine is expensive and crowded, but in my opinion, it's a fantastic way to spend a day. Although I loved my solo time, I would recommend bringing a buddy so you can try twice as much food. Unfortunately, it ended last weekend, but honestly, it gets better every year. Start planning your trip now.

Chili

I'm baaaack! Sorry for disappearing like that, I was briefly swallowed up by exams. But now I'm back with a pot full of chilly weather (well, not if you live in Florida, good Lord) love.

When I make chili, I sort of just throw stuff into a pot until it looks or tastes right. I also like my chili garlicky and spicy. You can dial back either one and it should still be a good bowl of chili.

I served this with garlic bread because who doesn't like garlic bread? You can find the recipe in my very first post. Such a good combination. Love.

Also recommended: watch Hannibal while you eat this. That's what I did and it was a great decision.

Chili
Ingredients
1 yellow onion, diced
3 tbsp garlic, minced
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1.5 lbs ground beef
3 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp cumin
1/8 tsp red pepper
1 can kidney beans, drained
1 can black beans, drained
1 can diced tomatoes (the bigger can, 24 oz)

1. Add the onion to the pot with the oil. Cook for about 4 minutes. Add the garlic, cook another minute.
2. Add the ground beef, stirring to break it up into pieces.
3. When the meat is browned completely, add the beans and tomatoes. Stir.
4. Simmer over medium heat for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Enjoy!
   

What Should I Eat? 6

Look at this food. Oh my gosh. Go to the Flying Biscuit and get it all, as soon as possible. It's so freaking good. If you go on a weekend, call ahead, because there's usually about an hour wait. However, the above is a pancake with peach compote, grits, a biscuit, eggs, and bacon. The biscuits here are fantastic. They are huge and the texture is like a pillowy cloud. I like them with just butter, or they have homemade apple butter, which is also incredible. THE GRITS. Oh my goodness. If you're from the South, I'm sure you'll agree that restaurant grits are often lackluster. THESE ARE NOT. They are creamy and buttery and so good. Love.

I cannot recommend this place enough.

Fall Salmon Salad

After two or three weeks of sweet food, I finally have something savory, something light, something healthy. Look, veggies and fruits. Omega 3s. Protein. Hooray.

Caramelization. Praise.

So, we all know that when you fail an exam, oversleep, give a bad interview, Remember Me doesn't end the way you want it to....you don't want salad. You want chocolate. Preferably in ice cream form.

Speaking of which, does anyone else like the movie Remember Me? It's Robert Pattinson playing a character that doesn't sparkle, and I really like him. And the movie. It's sad though. And for whatever reason, I watch it even though I've seen it, and I just hope for a different ending. And eat candy. And cry.

Bottom line? This salad is really good. Maybe not comfort-you-when-you-cry good. But it's good.

Salmon Salad
Ingredients
1 salmon filet (I think mine was like 6 oz.? they sell them at the Publix counter)
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
2 tbsp maple syrup
2/3 pear, sliced thin
3 handfuls spring mix (the lettuce stuff)
1/8 cup quinoa (not really necessary, but I like it a lot)
3 tbsp red onion
balsamic dressing
salt and pepper

1. Rub the mustard and syrup onto either side of the salmon.
2. Transfer the salmon to a pan over medium heat. Cook for about 5 minutes on the first side. Flip, then cook for about 4 minutes on the other.
3. Dice the cooked salmon, and add to a plate with the spring mix, pear, and quinoa.
4. Add the red onion to the pan (don't clean it between this and the salmon). Cook for about 3 minutes, until soft. Add to the salad.
5. Salt and pepper the salad and add dressing to taste. Enjoy!

Christmas in October!!

I got myself nice things and I'm excited to tell you about them. Hooray cookbooks.

The above is Rachel Khoo's My Little French Kitchen. I've decided that my next endeavor is going to be to learn to cook French food. I'm incredibly excited. Everything in this book is gorgeous, she's gorgeous, her book is gorgeous. I love it and can't wait to make it all. I ended up dog-earing basically every recipe. It's divided into chapters by region of France and I love that.

I also bought Julia Child's books. Don't worry, I'm not about to go all Julie & Julia on you (even though that movie is totally worth your time), but I do sort of think it would be fun to cook all the way through these. They start at the bottom and work up, teaching you all the basics. Love.

I love food. I love cookbooks. Kimmie out.